Search Results: Ajia Eberhart
In the large encyclopedia of the world of natural organic living, there are literally dozens of oils from around the world that we use for multiple reasons, including hair remedies. Many of them are in our plain sight, readily available from the grocery store to the kitchen. One of the more popular oils that’s been commonly used for dry hair issues is none other than Extra Virgin Olive Oil.
Back to the Roots: Where does EVOO come from?
This Mesopotamian extract comes from the pressing of olives.Extra Virgin Olive Oil, also known as EVOO, can be found in many supermarkets and is sold by side-street vendors across the United States. Although this amazingly resourceful oil is easy to obtain, it’s not native to our homeland. In fact, EVOO originates from the Asia Minor, more commonly referred to as Ancient Greece. The bountiful olive plant grew along the Mesopotamian Fertile Crescent, which had rich soil and a large water supply. The oil is extracted by the first pressing of olives. Throughout this process, no heat, chemicals, or other additives are used to create Extra Virgin Olive Oil.
According to Olive Oil Times, Extra Virgin Olive Oil is the only one made without any specific industrial refining. Because this oil is authentic and pure, it’s considered an oil of a higher grade and one of the more expensive oils on the market.
How naturals use EVOO on their hair
Use it as a pre-poo, hot oil treatment, deep conditioner, or to seal moisture. There are many necessary nutrients available to your hair when using Extra Virgin Olive Oil. Naturalistas can incorporate this ingredient into phases of their hair washing and styling routine, from pre-poo treatments, to hot oil treatments, deep conditioners, and even as a sealant.
What hair type benefits the most from EVOO?
Those with coily, dense hair that is dry or severely damaged should use EVOO. Two of the common issues that EVOO can resolve are frizzy and dry texture. At home, mix equal parts Extra Virgin Olive Oil and honey to infuse moisture deep into the hair strands.As a naturalista with a kinkier and dense hair texture, my scalp gets dry (especially in the winter months”>. Extra Virgin Olive Oil works to deeply moisturize, nourish, and condition the hair and scalp. Extra Virgin Olive Oil is composed of small molecules that allows it to easily penetrate the hair shaft straight to the cortex to create moisture from the inside out.
Other hair concerns that EVOO can help solve
EVOO aids in making damage easier to manage, and promotes healthy growth with its antioxidant power.Extra Virgin Olive Oil can help to repair damage that is caused from regular wear and tear. EVOO helps rehydrate the hair by penetrating the hair shaft and seals in any moisture. Over consistent use, you may notice that olive oil will help alleviate some of the dryness from damage. This doesn’t mean that EVOO will snap back severely damaged hair, it simply makes manageability easier and will not cause further damage.
EVOO can enhance hair growth. Because EVOO is a high grade of oil at its purest state, there are many antioxidants and nutrients that are beneficial in preventing hair loss.
Products that contain Extra Virgin Olive Oil
There are a small handful of products that contain EVOO (versus refined olive oil”>. These have shown results proving the effectiveness of this great hair miracle.
Carol’s Daughter Olive Oil Infusion ($17″>
This at home hair treatment that has a blend of Olive Oil, Lavender, Sage and Ylang Ylang oil which all work to infuse moisture into the hair strands and promote manageability. This at home system doesn’t only contain oil for hot oil treatments; the kit’s conditioning smoothie acts as a deep conditioner to improve elasticity.
Organic Root Stimulator Olive Oil Cream Shampoo ($7″>
This entire line contain olive oil and extra virgin olive oil in each product to incorporate moisture at every phase of the washing and styling process. This shampoo works to remove calcium and product buildup while other ingredients such as Aloe Vera and Vitamin E soothe the scalp and protect the hair throughout the washing process.
Nubian Heritage EVOO & Moringa Deep Conditioner ($15″>
This amazing deep conditioner is for any texture type and addresses multiple hair concerns. For those with dry hair as a result of severe heat or chemical damage, this product restores and balances moisture levels while transitioning out of damaged ends. It also provides a healthy protein-moisture balance while including many natural protein based ingredients.
Make your own EVOO deep conditioner
Do you use Extra Virgin Olive Oil in your natural hair remedies?
With Black History Month on the horizon, I wanted to take the time to acknowledge one of the many Black Arts revolutionaries. This individual is revolutionary by the means of being about a change and notoriety to the arts community of African Americans during a pivotal time of change.
This month’s natural who made history is Alvin Ailey.
Going through many systematic and economical trial and tribulations throughout his lifetime, Alvin Ailey was a product of struggle and result of perseverance.
Born in Texas to young parents during the Great Depression, Ailey didn’t know the stability of a home. He grew up during a time when racial segregation, violence, and lynchings of black Americans were at a high rate. To combat this unfortunate reality, Ailey spent much of his time at juke joints and southern Baptist churches. These small, yet impactful, experiences instilled a stern sense of black pride, which would later manifest itself in his famous dance pieces.
Introduction to the dance world
When he moved to California with his mother, Ailey expressed his interest in the arts through many platforms such as the singing with the glee club, writing poetry, and displaying his passion for linguistics. He was introduced to the dance world as a teenager when given the opportunity to work with Lester Horton. Horton played as a serious influence to Ailey giving his the technique and basics from which his artistic creativity would grow.
Performing with Maya Angelou & Harry Belafonte
Alvin was a jack-of-all-trades; he was heavily invested in his newfound passion for dance but also passionate about the artistic process involved in writing and poetry. While living in San Francisco, Ailey regularly performed self-authored poetry pieces at a nightclub with Marguerite Johnson (who later changed her name to Maya Angelou”>.
In 1954, Alvin Ailey moved to New York where he began dancing in Broadway productions featuring prominent actors such as Harry Belafonte and Lena Horne. Ailey took his love for African American affiliated music and all of his professional dance training in ballet, modern dance, and jazz to form his very own dance company known to this day as The Alvin Ailey Dance Theater.
The Blue Suite: creating a style of his own
To set his dance company apart from any other, Ailey created a supreme theatrical experience incorporating classical dance with African dance techniques. His premiere production with his newfound company was an expressive dance piece known as Blue Suite. The focus of Blue Suite was to depict the pain and anger of being an African American during the hard times of the Great Depression, Jim Crow South, and the Civil Rights Movement.
Embracing the untold story through performance art
As The Alvin Ailey Dance Theater grew momentum, more performances were commissioned to showcase the various talents and stories of African Americans. Revelations is the critically acclaimed collection of dances highlighting Ailey’s dark memories of living in the south. In fact, the longest dance piece that was later included, as an extension of Revelations was Cry (1971″> starring Judith Jamison. This performance was a dedication to the many struggles of his mother and the untold stories of black women.
Revolutionizing the world of dance forever
The life and work of Alvin Ailey has inspired many aspiring and successful dancers across the world. The Alvin Ailey Dance Theater symbolizes as a home of open arms for African American dancers with a story to tell.
Over 70 choreographers and 200 dance works have been created for the diverse portfolio of this unique company. Alvin Ailey revolutionized the dance world by created an eclectic dance technique that combined the elements of various schools of dance. Alvin Ailey is forever a master of the dance craft, a Natural Who Made History.
As naturalistas, we sometimes feel the need to experiment with at-home hair treatments, whether it is to obtain more moisture, protein, or maybe help our anti-frizz desires. So we like to turn to items within reach of our fingertips, sometimes being food ingredients we find in our refrigerator or specialty items we find at the grocery store. Sometimes it’s the items we least expect that provide us with many benefits that will support our journey to healthy hair…like winter squash, for example.
What is winter squash?
- vegetable spaghetti
- acorns
- pumpkins
Although it is given the name “winter” squash, this crop actually flourishes in the warmer months of the year. It can still be stored through the winter months (hence its name”>. Without a doubt, you have come across some of the common winter squash vegetables such as spaghetti squash, acorn squash, and pumpkins.
How to choose a good winter squash
Just like picking any fruit and vegetable at the market, you have to know what to look for. When choosing the perfect winter squash for your DIY hair remedy or treatment, find one that is heavy in weight, has a hard shell and deep rich coloring with has no blemishes.
Why is it beneficial?
- contains a great source of vitamins A, C, and riboflavin for hair growth
Knowing the key nutrients to that are required to support healthy hair will inspire you to make better choices in your diet and healthy hair regimen. Winter squash contains an abundant amount of vitamin A, vitamin C, iron, and riboflavin. These help with building strong, lustrous hair strands.
Winter Squash also contains beta-carotene, which helps in promoting hair growth. The beta-carotene helps prevent breakage so that hair can grow to its optimal length.
How to use winter squash in your hair
Because winter squash has many nutrients and benefits it can be used in multiple for the hair and scalp. For scalp issues, such as dandruff, winter squash can be pureed and mixed with rosemary and tea tree. Winter squash can also be incorporated into DIY mixtures for restorative masques or deep conditioners.
Try one of these recipes that incorporate winter squash, depending on what your hair needs most.
Deep Conditioner
Ingredients:
- ½ large winter squash (spaghetti, acorn, pumpkin”>
- 3 tablespoons honey or agave nectar
- ¼ cup of plain yogurt
Steps:
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Cook squash until the shell is soft enough to remove all inner contents.
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After peeling the squash, mash all the inner contents.
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Combine yogurt and honey with squash. Mix until smooth.
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Apply mixture to damp hair and apply a plastic shower cap
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Leave on for 20 minutes then rinse with warm water.
Scalp Treatment
Ingredients:
- ½ Winter Squash (acorn, spaghetti, pumpkin”>
- Rosemary essential oil
- Peppermint essential oil
- Tea tree oil
Steps:
-
Cook squash until the shell is soft enough to remove all inner contents
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After peeling the squash, mash all the inner contents.
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Add 3-10 drops of rosemary, peppermint, and tea tree oil. Stir into the mashed squash mix.
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Apply to dry scalp. Wait 4-7 minutes.
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Massage scalp with a comb. Be sure the comb has rounded teeth.
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Rinse and follow with regular wash routine.
The takeaway
Although winter squash is one of the least expected additives to DIY hair treatments, its nutrients benefit hair greatly. Will you use this in your next DIY?
When it comes to organic botanicals and herbs, there are many unknown oils and butters that can benefit our bodies in many ways. When it comes to our hair and reaching our individual hair goals, we listen closely to solutions that will help with healthy growth, moisture, and fighting frizz. One of the many essential oils that has recently gained popularity amongst naturalistas abroad is Ungurahua Oil.
What is Ungurahua Oil?
Scientifically known as, Oenocarpus bataua, Ungurahua Oil derives from the rainforests of Central and South America. It is commonly found between Peru, Brazil, and along the Amazonian River and is cold pressed from the seeds of the rain forest trees once the tree reaches full maturity. This essential oil is commonly used as a antioxidant, antibacterial, and anti-hairfall treatment in different countries around the world.
Why Ungurahua Oil is so interesting
This specific oil has a history dating back centuries back to the indigenous peoples. Because of its many benefits to relieve hair, skin, and nail issues; the oil has proven to be versatile. For naturalistas who live in hot climates with little moisture in the air to those living in humid climates, Ungurahua will work wonders to preserve the life of their hairstyles.
How to use it
The Ungurahua Oil is very unique because it can be used in multiple ways. It can be used as an essential oil, a treatment, a pre-poo, or a finisher just to name a few. Additionally, the Ungurahua Oil can be used to as a remedy for cracking or aging skin.
- For Moisture
For naturals with chemically or color treated hair this oil helps with increasing resistance to damage from manipulation. The strength of it allows for damaged cuticle layers to be temporarily mended. In regards to dry and brittle hair, Ungurahua Oil nourishes and moisturizes the hair strands to prevent snapping of the hair strands from various sections of the hair causing uneven hair styles.
- Frizz, beware
As a treatment, Ungurahua Oil works well for scalp conditions. During the dry winter months or in the hotter regions of the southern and western states, the Ungurahua Oil works well as an all-natural anti-frizz serum.
- For the Scalp
Having a healthy scalp is one of the many keys to healthy hair success. For people experiencing scalp conditions from the most minimal to the most severe, the antioxidants and antibacterial properties of Ungurahua Oil will help balance out those issues upon consistent usage.
- For Porosity Issues
Knowing porosity distinctions is crucial to picking hair beneficial hair products. If you’re in a need of an oil that will not sit on top of your hair, Ungurahua is for you. The Ungurahua oil is lightweight; its molecular structure contains small particles that are able to penetrate the hair shaft to infuse moisture from the inside out.
Where to buy
Ungurahua oil can be purchased through various online vendors. It’s normally sold its pure form, 100% Ungurahua oil. However, it is also sold in a blended formula, which contains U oil as the base oil and other essential and carrier oils as additives.
If you’re on the market for a new multipurpose oil, Ungurahua oil is for you.
Shampoos
- SheaMoisture Raw Shea Butter Moisture Retention Shampoo, $10.99 (in CurlMart“>
SheaMoisture is one of the first natural hair product lines that was introduced to me when I first started my natural journey back in college. One of my favorite aspects of this product is that each ingredient is natural and its animal safe. Some of my favorite ingredients of the product are the Shea Butter, Sea Kelp Extract, and Aloe Vera Leaf Juice. I implement moisture into every step of my hair process. This doesn’t strip my hair of its natural oils, either.
- Carol’s Daughter Tui Color Care Hydrating Sulfate Free Shampoo, $13.00 (in CurlMart“>
This product has been a favorite of mine from my relaxed hair, to multiple transitioning stages, and even today. My favorite ingredient in this product is the Aloe Vera Juice because it works very well as a basis for infusing moisture into hair strands. Not only is the smell of the shampoo fabulous, it also works great for color care. As I’ve become more courageous in my experimentation with hair color, I’ve used this product more than ever to protect fading of my custom hair color. While using this, my hair color has remained vibrant for much longer.
Conditioners
- Tresemme Expert Selection Perfectly (un”>Done Conditioner $4.99 (in Walgreens“>
I recently discovered this product late last year when my favorite store didn’t have any of my go-to conditioners. This product is marketed as a daily conditioner; however, I use this conditioner as a co-wash. The sea kelp extract in this my favorite ingredient because it helps to lift a good amount of product and sweat build up from the scalp. I liked that my curls were completely defined and frizz-free. This is a good, inexpensive daily conditioner or co-wash for naturalistas on a budget.
- SheaMoisture Yucca & Plantain Anti-Breakage Strengthening Conditioner, $10.99 (in CurlMart“>
Lack of moisture is one of the many causes for breakage, which hinders length retention. This conditioner got me through a tough phase when I couldn’t keep my hair moisturized. Aside from establishing a proper wash regimen, this conditioner possesses many ingredients that my hair loves. The yucca and plantain conditioner has is packed with ingredients that to moisturize and infuse light protein particles throughout the hair. The plantain extract infuses moisture into the strands, while the baobab oil bonds to chips in the hair strands to increase resistance to styling and friction. This product is great for naturals with low porosity hair.
Deep Conditioners
- SheaMoisture Jamaican Black Castor Oil Masque $12.99 (in CurlMart“>
Once again as a frequent user of hair dyes to change up my style, this deep conditioning masque does a great job in restoring moisture to over-processed and chemically treated hair. This product is filled with tons of hydrolyzed protein that help to fill the areas of the hair strands that have been weakened by overuse of heat. This product helped revitalize my strands after dyeing my hair. I also loved using this product after performing a deep protein treatment on my hair to balance the moisture and protein level. Lastly, I love this product as a great moisture preparation for when I plan to heat style my hair. The proteins and moisture enriched ingredients help prevent a barrier to the lengthy process of drying and flat ironing.
Co-washes
- Crème of Nature Pure-licious Co-Wash $6.99 (in Walgreens“>
There aren’t enough words to describe how much I love this co-wash. It does a phenomenal job at ridding the scalp of dirt and debris without leaving a trace behind. I love that this co-wash makes my hair soft and full of moisture. Shea Butter is a main ingredient of this product and is the source of the intense moisture infused into the strands alongside glycerin and of course water. This is great for naturalistas that hit the gym every day and need that clean feel to their hair before they can start the day. And for my naturalistas with coarse and kinky hair this product is for you.
- Eden BodyWorks All Natural Coconut Shea Cleansing Cowash, $8.50 (in CurlMart“>
This is for the naturalista who likes to keep her wash process short and simple. It is one of my favorites because it’s complete with ingredients that I love such as Coconut oil, Shea Butter, Aloe Vera, and water. I couldn’t ask for anything more simply put together. This product has a light lather when mixed with water. It’s a great product for naturalistas with thick hair strands.
Stylers
- CURLS Crème Brulee $8.99 (in Target“>
I love this styler for more reasons than I can count. To start with my first love for this product is that it smells phenomenal. But more importantly, this product contains Shea Butter and glycerin, which moisturizes the strands very well even after the cleansing process. I use this product all year long because in the summer months my hair attracts just enough moisture but my style stays intact. In the winter months, my hair doesn’t attract dry out from the lack of moisture in the hair. One of the best things about this product is the soft yet firm hold. This product is really good for naturals that are not fans of using gels.
- Carol’s Daughter Healthy Hair Butter, $17.00 (in CurlMart“>
This is another one of my long time staple products. I love that this product works as a styling defense against friction and dryness. This hairdress is great for frequent protective styling and styles that require lots of tension on edges. I attest to this as someone that lived by “baby hairs on fleek” until my edges came out. This product was great for reviving my edges and preparing them and my ends for any stress I was about to put on my hair. As someone that loves my poetic justice braids I also use this product to prep my scalp for the tension used during the braiding process.
Which natural hair products were your faves in 2015?
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When we think of our hair and the many things it needs to be prosperous, many times we overlook the smallest necessities that make the largest impact. Automatically we identify the important and most iterated necessity of them all, MOISTURE! Then follows the discussion on protective styles, cleansing, and any others that come to mind.
Are the roots of your hair follicles receiving a sufficient amount of nutrients to thrive?
What is Linolenic Acid?
Linolenic Acid is a polyunsaturated acid that comes from the Omega 6 fatty acid group. It is considered an essential fat and can be found commonly in vegetable oils such as safflower oil, soybean oil, and sunflower oil.
Why It Matters
Linolenic acid is essential for skin regeneration, hair growth, and metabolism. In order for healthy hair to grow, the scalp and internal health must be in good condition. When our body is not in a good balance our hair and scalp are usually first to suffer so the rest of our body can maintain proper function.
When We Lack Linolenic Acid…
- we’re risking having dry hair and hair loss
A deficiency of linolenic acid can lead to two nightmares that any naturalista can face: dry hair and hair loss. The dry hair is the first phase of a linolenic acid deficiency because it contributes to the overall structure of the hair follicle that helps maintain the strength of the hair.
When the bulbs at the root of the hair follicle are no longer able to receive a sufficient amount of nutrients due to lack of availability in the body, it redirects the small amounts to functions of the body that need the linolenic acid the most. But don’t worry too much, this can be fixed.
How to fix your deficiency
If you notice that you may have a linolenic acid deficiency, there a few ways to fix this problem to restore your hair and set it up for future healthy hair growth:
1. Adjust your diet. With this solution, the adjustment needs to be made in your vegetable intake. The amount of vegetables that go through the body throughout the various meals and snacks helps with the internal processing of linolenic acid. This specific fatty acid is common among many vegetables. Also, switching your cooking oil to mainly vegetable oils because the nutrients that are extracted from the vegetables, including linolenic acid, are all transferred into the oil.
2. Introduce a daily hair growth vitamin such as Viviscal, Hairfinity and The Mane Choice. These options will include a combination of essential nutrients that are good for the body overall and key nutrients for healthy hair growth.
3. Use a treatment solution that contains linolenic acid. These treatments will combat dryness of the hair. When applied to the scalp with heat for 30 to 45 minutes, the treatment has an opportunity to penetrate deeply into the follicles.
So, Does Linolenic Acid Matter?
Drumroll please… Yes! Just like we give special focus to other nutrients in our bodies, we should also pay special attention to those that aren’t always mentioned on the front labels of products.
Do you get enough Linolenic acid?
Happy New Year! It’s a time of renewal of the mind, body, and soul. When I think of an African American woman who invigorates my mind, consciousness, and sparks my inner radical artist, I think of the boldness of the Black Arts Movement. This month, to pay homage to moment of history that reflected renewal and consciousness, the Natural Who Made History is Sonia Sanchez.
While completing her postgraduate work, Sanchez studied poetry, which fueled her future interest and success with her poetry publications.
In the racially tense region of Birmingham, Alabama, Sonia Sanchez (Wilsonia Benita Driver”> was born on September 9th, 1934. Sanchez lived a hectic childhood having been raised by several family members. In 1955, Sonia Sanchez received her Bachelor’s of Art with a concentration in Political Science. Following her undergraduate work she completed her postgraduate work at New York University. While completing her postgraduate work, Sanchez studied poetry, which fueled her future interest and success with her poetry publications.
Feminism, Motherhood, and The Nation of Islam
Sonia Sanchez’s early work depicts her thoughts on the connection between mother and child. Much of her poetic content was derived from her introduction into the world of motherhood when she gave birth to children of her own. Not only did Sanchez have strong and unbreakable thoughts on motherhood, she was also a feminist. In the 1970s, Sonia Sanchez joined the Nation of Islam. Sanchez’s perspective of the power of influence that the woman possessed conflicted with the beliefs and teachings of the Nation of Islam, which caused her to cut ties with the massive organization after three years of membership.
Advocating for Black Women’s Literature
After having taught in the New York City public school system for 12 years, Sanchez went on to become a college professor. In fact, Sonia Sanchez has been a professor at over eight universities and lectured at over 500 college campuses. Sanchez, alongside many African American professors, advocated for the Black studies courses to be introduced into the collegiate curriculum in California before later being introduced to eastern universities. Unbeknownst to many people, Sonia Sanchez was the first to structure and teach courses that focused on Black women and literature throughout the United States. In honor of her hard work while at Temple University, Sanchez was presented with the distinction of Presidential Fellow.
A CORE Participant in the Civil Rights Movement
Sonia Sanchez was not only influential throughout the Black Arts Movement; she was considered an active leading participant of the Civil Rights Movement. Sanchez was a member of CORE (Congress of Racial Equality”> alongside Malcolm X and many others. Her participation in multiple Civil Rights based organizations inspired many plays and books that spoke to the many endless struggles of being Black in America.
Shining a Light on Ebonics
Aside from the context of her work being influential throughout the decades, speaking to the issues of the times; Sanchez’s work was also unique from any work like it. The poetry, the plays, and many written works of Sonia Sanchez are unique because the vernacular she used reflected the language that African Americans of that time used to communicate with each other. The language she incorporated can be seen as the transformation of slave coding and the early stages of today’s Ebonics.
Sonia Sanchez’s many pieces of work and recorded speeches pioneered a long line of Black feminist writers that continue to speak their truths through the authenticity of their vernacular.
Courses about Black women and their rhetoric was an essential pillar in the development of Black studies’ courses because women as a whole are overlooked but the Black woman more than anyone is silenced by society.
Sonia, thank you for being a voice to inspire the masses.
Recently, Kenyan blogger Nancy Roxanne wrote an opinion piece for uReport disapproving the appearance of natural hair on black women. In it she confesses,
“First of all, natural hair is not flattering to everyone. I even dare say it is ugly. Only a handful of women actually look good with kinky hair. Still, masses of unenlightened women wake up one day and decide to rock natural hairstyles only to end up adding to the ghastly parade of natural hair disasters being flaunted around.”
Dear Nancy Roxanne,
Several times over I’ve read your blog post on your belief that “natural hair is ugly”; each time that I read that post my emotions and thoughts changed. But not a change in support of your claims, I’m rather appalled to see that someone of African descent could feel such a way about a beautiful feature that makes us unique from other cultures and from one another. Among the leading point of my many issues I had with your claim and statement, this is the tip of the iceberg.
First, you’re misinformed.
You’ve synthesized a claim that straight, voluminous hair is more pleasing to the beauty standards of society. However, there are plenty of individuals that go to extreme lengths to mimic our unique textures. Our hair is so versatile and, for lack of better terms, dope that many women outside the black diaspora strive to replicate something that our DNA is blessed with. Ms. Roxanne would you find natural hair appealing if it were presented through the lens of cultural appropriation; would Kylie Jenner sporting coarse afro like hairstyle make it more appealing to you. #questionsthatneedanswers.
Secondly, the history of tolerance and acceptance for natural hair in societies that didn’t care for black people is a great deal of importance to why the natural hair movement is highly relevant.
For centuries, black people across the world have been forced and bullied into altering the integrity of their hair to make others around them feel comfortable. I know this very well, as a previous employer of mine harassed me because he voiced his preference for my long poetic justice braids while I was transitioning, instead of my natural coily afro.
In social culture and in the hair world, curly hair of every type and texture controls the market of hair products in every way possible. Sales in relaxers have dropped, and the focus is the consumer’s need to maintain essential needs for their texture. Looking at the demographical information of the world over the past decades, the number of individuals of ethnic background has started to outnumber those of mainly European ancestry. With more black women and men embracing the beauty of natural hair and loving one another for the confidence that natural hair exudes, it’s a freeing lifestyle. There’s a sense of black love that is not conforming to the Eurocentric ideologies of beauty.
Thirdly, you mentioned that natural hair is an investment of time and finances.
However, so is having relaxed hair, permed hair, short hair, or a weave. Really think about it; the time it takes to properly apply the relaxer/perm, let it set, the washing process, conditioning, and styling time is a lengthy process. Or to put it in a better perspective, the length of time spent at a hair salon for this service can take an entire day.
For women who know a thing or two about weave units, they understand that it’s impossible to just install the hair unit and leave it; there’s a high level of maintenance required. With a weave you’re not only caring for the sew-in part, you also have to nurture your hair underneath. As for the care process of natural hair the length of time varies from one naturalista to another.
Given that each head of hair is different and has varying needs, the time it takes to wash, detangle, and style natural hair varies. It’s a matter of preference of how thorough one wants to be with their wash process; I may only have a 4-step process while my cousin may have a 35-step process, in the most hypothetical scenario. Personally, I only take 15 minutes for my entire wash process and another 15 for styling; do note that my hair is past shoulder length. Once again a matter of preference, I choose to streamline my wash process because 4 hours is too long for me.
So, Ms. Nancy Roxanne…
We are both adults, and I can’t change your mind. All I can do is share a piece of mine, share knowledge, and pray that one day you’ll be able to see the uniqueness you have been blessed with. Lastly, to some degree I do not fault you for you misinformed perspectives because we all have been brought up in a society that has conditioned us black women to think a certain way about ourselves. Free your mind, sista!
Among the many joyous occasions that come along with the holiday season, also comes the harsh realities of the seasonal change. The keywords that bring a halt to our hair joy are WINTER, COLD, and DRYNESS. For the seasoned naturalistas and those early in their journey, the extreme lack of moisture in the air not only makes our ends feel extra dry but in some cases dry air causes dandruff. But never fear, there are some DIY recipes with a variety of natural ingredients that have many benefits aiding in relief of dry, itchy, and dandruff ridden scalps.
Of the many DIY recipes that benefit to eliminate dandruff, the majority of them had one common ingredient that, apple cider vinegar. Apple cider vinegar holds a special place in the hearts and minds of naturalistas because of its multiple purposes to solve any issue.
Neem treatment
Ingredients
- ½ tbsp. Apple Cider Vinegar
- Handful of Neem Leaves
- Herbs
- 5-6 drops of Lemon juice
- 1 cup Water
Directions
Boil 1 cup of water, 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar and a handful of Neem leaves in a pan. Once the Neem leaves have slightly wilted, remove from the fire. Cool and use it as a hair rinse.
The purpose of the boiling of the neem leaves releases the nutrients held within the leaves of the herbs. As an Ayurvedic ingredient, neem works as an anti-fungal alternative to prevent the further spread of dandruff to other areas of the scalp. In combination with apple cider vinegar, the powerful effects of the neem help to purify the scalp to further prevent dandruff.
ACV + Lemon rinse
Ingredients
- ½ cup Apple Cider Vinegar
- ½ cup Lemon Juice
Directions
Mix equal quantities of lemon juice and apple cider vinegar in a bowl. Take a tbsp. of this mixture and add a cup of water and use it as a hair rinse.
In many cases, it could be said that using too many highly acidic ingredients can disrupt the balance of your hair scalp. However, using the lemon juice and apple cider vinegar combination does not disrupt the pH balance. The lemon juice acts as an anti fungal solution to lift and remove any traces of dandruff while the apple cider vinegar restores the pH balance of the hair and scalp.
Some of the other commonly used DIY solutions for the winter dandruff blues aren’t limited to the use of apple cider vinegar. There are a plethora of homemade hair masks with ingredient combinations that work to rid any scalp of dandruff.
Ayurvedic Hair Mask Method:
Ingredients
- ½ cup Henna
- ½ tsp Alma powder
- ½ tsp Shikakai powder
- 1 tsp. Organic yogurt
- 1 tsp. Olive oil
- 5-6 drops of Lime juice
- 1 tea bag (Black tea”>
- 2-3 drops Rosemary essential oil (optional”>
Directions
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Pour hot water in a cup and add the tea bag.
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When it cools down, take the tea bag out.
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In a bowl mix rest of the ingredients and add the tea water.
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Mix with a spoon until smooth.
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Apply the paste on your scalp and hair.
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Keep the mask on for at least an hour.
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Wash away using a conditioner or just plain water.
This recipe contains a plethora of natural plant derived ingredients that are well known to DIY lovers that love the organic essentials. To begin with the prominent essentials of this recipe I’ll start with henna; Henna is one of the oldest plant derived ingredients used containing many benefits beside hair coloring. The composition of henna helps eliminate dandruff while lightly exfoliating the scalp.
Black tea is known as simply being a rinse. However, black tea in addition to being a rinse contains antioxidants that eliminate remaining traces of dandruff flakes. After all the scrubbing and exfoliation of the scalp to remove dandruff, the black tea also calms and soothes the sensitive skin of the scalp.
Last but not least, Alma powder; the effectiveness of alma powder can do wonders for multiple hair issues throughout the dry cold winter months. Alma powder contains vitamin C to ensure that the scalp doesn’t become too dry for dandruff to form. In addition to preventing dryness, alma powder relieves the itchy scalp that comes along as the early stages before full blown dandruff.
Some naturalistas with the winter months drawing near, have no fear for the dry air, there is a solution to any scalp issues.
The world is full of beautiful people and cultures to admire.
Many times we look back to our own specific for inspiration without taking a moment to recognize the beauty of others. One of the most overlooked cultures for hair inspiration is that of Indian women. And although their hair history is strikingly similar to other cultures, the representation of Indian hairstyling continues to be unique in its own way.
Many of the prominent traditional Indian hairstyles can be viewed through the creation of sculptures and other forms of artistry.
During World Heritage Week (November 19-25″>, an exhibition of terracotta statuettes showcased women with a variety of unique hairstyles. The sculptures represented the evolution of Indian women’s beauty styles from an earlier time. Some consisted of long, heavy pulled back masses of coils, while some sported uniquely styled plaits and braids. Like other ethnic groups, these hairstyles carried meaning signifying different stages or events in an Indian woman’s life such as marriage and motherhood. It’s within cultural normalities to preserve the traditions of those before us, however, with some changes added over time.
Recently, the popularized YouTube series 100 years of Beauty had an episode of the transformative hairstyles of women in India from the 1910s until the present day. This video shows how elements of traditional hairstyles were kept alive but also fused with the fade of the decade to create a fresh, yet authentic look. The transformation of Indian hairstyles started incorporating braided crown halos in the 1920s, light waves in the 1940s and 1950s, and popular minimalist hairstyles of the 1990s.
Like many surrounding ethnic cultures, hairstyling plays a role in many levels of identity.
The traditions of Indian hairstyling serves as symbols for specific life events, both tied to religious and social. At an early age, a young girl can pledge her hair to their deity as a commitment of worship; as a result there’s a ceremony where a bunch of young girls shave their head. This process is not just for young girls, either. Adult Indian men and women pledge their hair to their deity in exchange for answered prayers. Shaved heads are important segments of the history of Indian hairstyles because, like the unique styles having meanings and purpose, they can carry a significant meaning regarding religion and lifestyle.
Throughout the history of Indian hairstyles it’s important to speak about the hairstyles of Indian men as well. They, too, wore a variety of hairstyles that are similar to styles we would see on young men today, such as a partially shaved head with a bun on top (the “man bun””>.
The history of Indian hairstyles is a unique and beautiful display of tradition meets edgy trends. In the near and surrounding regions, the evolution of Indian hairstyles took steps to be apart of the culture trends of the times without losing the cultural identity that was established by their ancestors.
The reignition of self love and natural hair within the black community has changed the dynamic of societal culture and the discussions we have surrounding it.
The main focus of the natural hair movement is the black woman’s journey to disregarding European beauty standards. But oftentimes we neglect to acknowledge the black man’s position in the movement, including his journey.
The main focus of the natural hair movement has been on women. Sometimes we neglect the black man’s journey.
Recently, Damon Young of The Root spoke about the stages of the hairvolution, reminiscing on the once popular Rakim box cut, the Allen Iverson braids, the Caesar fade, and the era of 360 waves.
Black men have transformed from complementing black women on their natural to growing their own hair out from their standard cuts.
Young acknowledged how today’s black man, young or old, is rocking his natural hair in more ways than one. Walking down the streets of our cities and boroughs, we see young black men with natural hairstyles across the spectrum. From neat to free form locs, from sky high flat tops to bleached ends, the possibility in styles are endless. And of course, the weekly edge-ups will remain for years to come.
Some people might look at black men who sport free-form locs (like Jaden Smith”> and ask, why would you let your hair grow that way? With the natural hair transformation of black men styles are done intentionally and with a purpose. Sometimes it’s meant to make a political statement. But whatever the reason, leaving their natural hair movement uncombed but shaped is a reaffirmation of love for their blackness, and support of the movement as a whole.
On the surface it’s easy to see the black community members that support the loving our blackness.
There is, however, a secret society of black people who have chosen to publicly not support the movement. Unfortunately, when discussions arise about black culture, society turns to these individuals for commentary. One of these public figures is Charles Barkley, who made a comment about Derrick Rose needing to “put something on his nappy hair.”
Barkley, a black bald man, fails to realize the history that African American men’s hair has had throughout the many years of slavery.
During the era of slavery, a black man’s hair was thought of as his source of strength and power. In an effort to further oppress our people, they shaved black male’s heads to eliminate that fear within themselves and the power that ties to African Americans and hair. With knowing the history behind shaving a black man’s head, it could be concluded that Charles Barkley is a powerless man within the black community.
While the highly disputed topic of culture appropriation is known relatively well, cultural imperialism is fairly unknown concept connected to discussions about blackness.
Essentially, culture imperialism is the dominant group forcing their culture preferences onto the oppressed group, which is where the origins of European beauty standards derived from.
The black man’s journey to being proud and nappy shouldn’t be discouraged by the ashamed, brainwashed members of the black community.
What we fail to realize is this:
If the black community is not willing to defend their own culture, history, and start practicing self love, then who will?
Throughout their journey, many naturalistas will board the “hair growth challenges” bandwagon. By hair growth challenges, I’m referring to three month long challenges that involve pills, pills, and more pills. They stock up on items like Hairfinity, The Mane Choice, or the generic Biotin complex brand. They believe biotin will be the answer to their hair growth problems. They may not realize, however, the role the common vitamin D plays in the process of strong hair growth and retention.
How Do We Get Vitamin D In Our Body?
Remember when your parents told you to go outside because it was good for your body? Even though you may not have comprehended it at the time, the sun exposure helped your body produce vitamin D.
Vitamin D is known as “the sunshine vitamin” for this reason–being in the sun is the most natural way to produce vitamin D in your body.
Besides sunbathing to obtain the amount of vitamin D our bodies need, some alternatives to receiving your daily dose are eating fatty fish like tuna, sardines, or whole eggs for the non-fish eaters.
Vitamin D Deficiency and Hair Loss
Many people understand that vitamin D is good for your skin; we also know that a healthy scalp is only one component to healthy hair. The scalp is another section of body skin, which makes vitamin D also good for the scalp. A 2010 study in the Dermatology Online Journal established that cases regarding hair loss had low vitamin D levels which disturbed the hair follicle growth cycles.
According to Dr. John Cannell, MD, having a vitamin D deficiency causes the hair follicles to become dormant, thus creating a weak basis for healthy growth. Eventually, this leads to hair loss.
It is important to have healthy skin on your scalp in order to prevent hair loss and stimulate hair growth.
A 2012 Harvard Public School of Health study suggested that vitamin D can create new hair follicles. Researchers found that vitamin D can stimulate the dormant hair follicles, leading to restoration of hair growth. Follicles that are dormant for too long begin to release the hair which results in patterned balding. It is important to keep in mind that even though if follicles are awaken hair may not grow which could mean other issues.
Hair Loss Treatment Results
Though there aren’t 100% guarantees of hair loss recovery, there are steps that can be taken to get on the right path. Some of the more common, attainable solutions are Rogaine and Propecia. A study published on Progressive Health says that patients in remission from chemotherapy were a part of a study in which they used topical gel with vitamin D which yielded positive results. The biggest contribution anyone can make to increase their vitamin D levels is creating a balanced diet and going outside on a sunny day.
The Takeaway
If you’re suffering from hair loss due to a vitamin D deficiency it’s fine to work toward increasing those levels BUT be aware of the amount of your body takes in to avoid serious health complications.
The current wave of popularity that surrounds natural hair hasn’t always been at a high.
Especially when it comes to socially acceptability within the black community. There have been tremendous shifts in the ways our African ancestors cared for and styled their kinky textured hair. These coveted practices have changed with the availability–or lack–of traditional products that allow for traditional healthy hair practices or styles.
Back In The Motherland
Whether it be for the increasing the laws of attraction or simply to look stylish, our African ancestors’ ways of hairstyling was as unique as their tribal culture. One common misconception of African hair is the idea that there is one type; this still happens today. Still, there were multiple hair identity types under the umbrella of ethnically classified “black hair”. Tribal-specific hairstyles were signifiers of many societal aspects, such as marital status, ethnic identity, age, religion, wealth, and community rank.
In some African tribes, women with long hair were assumed to have loose sexual morals; in others, it represented insanity.
One of the more important stories that hairstyles served as were markers for geographic location. Through its many commonalities throughout Africa, hair also carried many meanings. A prime example is the message that long, unarranged hair carried. In some tribes, it represented a woman with loose moral; in another it represented insanity. However, the upkeep of hair was not limited to just women. Men of their respective tribes were expected to keep their locs groomed despite the length of their hair.
Dehumanization through slavery
The West African tribes were those most heavily affected by slavery. Through the dehumanization process, captors would cut off their slaves’ hair and took away accessories that were significant to our ancestors’ tribal identities.
For 300 years, the focus of slavery–aside from free labor–was eliminating the attributes that made the African culture beautiful and unique. During this time, due to the denial of traditional essentials such as shea butter, the new generation of slaves adapted. They made due with household and plantation items around them such as bacon fat, kerosene, and butter to lubricate their strands.
The concept of colorism was practiced during this time which brainwashed slaves and modern day African Americans into believing the good hair bad hair craze. Willie Lynch, a slave master in the Caribbean islands, infamously stated that if slaves were separated by color at that time, they would remain separated for years to come. A result of his proclamation was the house slave and the field slave; one being of mixed race with fairer skin and “smoother” hair, while the other was of darker complexion and had kinkier hair.
For preservation of their hair during the long hot days in the field, slaves braided and tied their hair back to prevent dryness from the sun. However, not all slaves had head scarves, which is when grease was applied to the hair and scalp to prevent insects from laying eggs on their scalp.
The “Good Hair” Craze (1900s-1960s”>
With the ideas that there was a specific hair quality that was socially unacceptable and being taught that the natural hair of Africans was less than, Black Americans sought out any possible way to loosen their curl pattern. The multiracial people sometimes had the ability to simply use water to slick their hair back with ease, but many didn’t have that luxury and turned to greater extremes. The hot comb was introduced as a means to help straighten hair.
Madame C.J. Walker redesigned the width of the teeth to help those with thicker strands of coarse hair. The Walker Hair System was similar to the preparatory process many naturals go through today. It included using a shampoo and pomade to soften the hair prior to applying heat.
Black consumers wanted an easier way to duplicate their straight hair everyday rather than using a hot comb every time.
Black consumers wanted an easier way to duplicate hairstyles everyday. Men joined on the bandwagon to reinvent their hair, styling it with using the a texturizer created by George E. Johnson. It was called Ultra Wave. Following soon after was a similar product for women to create the perfect waved hairstyle or sleek lightly curled styles.
The Revolution (1970s”>
Prominent leaders of the Black Power Movement were strong believers that black people should be proud of their strong lineage. Angela Davis and Elaine Brown were just a couple of the many Black Panthers who wore their unaltered hair in recognition of their ancestry and defiance of Eurocentric beauty ideals. They encouraged other black people to embrace and appreciate their own natural hair, too. During this time, the afro was worn by everyone from activists to college students.
Jheri Curl Juice (1980s”>
The popularity of the afro was short lived. African Americans still wanted to wear their hair curly but in less of a traditional sense. Now they wanted to have a looser curl that remained moisturized and shiny all day long. With that came the creation of the Jheri Curl. Many people have seen the jokes about the Jheri Curl through popular 80s movies like Coming to America; according to my sources, the elders of my family, keeping the spray bottle was necessary to “keep your Jheri Curl juicy”.
Poetic Justice (1990s”>
Nothing says black hair in the 90s like waist-long box braids that Queen Janet Jackson sported in the film Poetic Justice. This iconic style, commonly used today as a protective style, is not only traditional throughout the African culture but also simplistic in its modern day culture.
A New Wave (2015″>
It’s easy to say that the biggest hair trend amongst the African American community is natural hair today. But there is a twist.
The revival of love for one’s natural hair is astounding. It is significant and, in some ways, is similar to how our early ancestors wore their hair. We wear our unaltered, natural texture in various unique styles. The movement has moved away from using harsh chemicals, decreasing relaxer sales by 26%. At the same time, this has forced major hair companies to manufacture products that will help with the styling a needs of natural hair of every type and texture in order to stay afloat.
Hair trends of the African American community have been adaptations to the circumstances our ancestors were forced to live under. Now is a time that African Americans control the hair market because we’re making our own demands. This is no longer a time where society is trying to impress upon us eurocentric ideas of beauty. We’re defining ourselves.
If you’re in search for a daily conditioner that has all the benefits your curls need without out breaking the bank, look no further.
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Alikay Naturals Cowash Me Cleansing Conditioner ($13″>
This cleansing conditioner comes as a great alternative to a dual step shampoo and conditioner routine. The Cowash Me Cleansing Conditioner is a sulfate free formula with blended jojoba and peppermint oil to soften and moisturize the hair, as well as hydrating the scalp. If you’re a fan of subtle fruit scents, this product has a slight hint of peach and berries to leave an invigorating scent throughout the hair.
SheaMoisture Coconut & Hibiscus Curl & Shine Conditioner ($11.99″>
The Coconut & Hibiscus conditioner is a lightweight product that caters to all hair types to restore and smooth dry hair cuticles. Coconut oil, Neem oil, and silk protein are the main ingredients that work toward taming the frizz and enhancing the natural curl pattern.
MopTop Bamboo Daily Conditioner ($11.99″>
This conditioner serves a variety of hair types on many different levels; it works for normal to dry, damaged to color treated, and wavy to kinky-coily strands. For those that suffer from frizzy and unruly hair, it restores moisture and manageability. The natural humectants and botanical ingredients penetrate the hair to allow for maximum absorption and prevent split ends.
Carol’s Daughter Black Vanilla Moisture & Shine Hydrating Conditioner ($12″>
The Black Vanilla Hydrating Conditioner comes packed with a rich blend of Pro Vitamin B5 and Biotin to soften and strengthen wet hair to prevent potential damage from snags. The combination of ingredients work to heal dry, dull, and brittle hair; the balance in moisture helps with detangling and ease in styling. This conditioner is light enough to use daily as a cowash.
Carol’s Daughter Tui Leave In Conditioner ($13″>
The Tui Leave In Conditioner contains an herbal blend of lavender, honeysuckle, sage, and calendula that conditions and hydrates the strands. Its tames fly aways, restores natural balance of the hair, and controls unmanageable hair. This product can be used as a daily leave-in or as a refresher mist; the tui leave in conditioner also makes for a great detangling product.
Jane Carter Solution Quench ($10″>
The Jane Carter Solution Quench works great as a daily revitalizer for curls; it hydrates and seals in moisture, reactivates and detangles curls. The soy protein and panthenol help strengthen hair and tame frizz. An added benefit of this product is its use as a heat protectant when flat ironing or blow drying.
Alikay Naturals Lemongrass Leave In Conditioner ($12.99″>
This Leave in conditioner is perfect for every hair type and texture because of its lightweight properties. The unique blend of ingredients work their way through the inner layers of the hair shaft to promote moisture from the inside out. The aloe vera and silk amino acid work as preventatives of dry damaged hair.
Paul Mitchell Super Strong Daily Conditioner ($12″>
The conditioner works on rebuilding the internal structure of the hair strands. The combination of canola, soy bean, and corn starch aid in preventing moisture loss by smoothing the cuticle to slow the evaporation of products from the hair. The Super Strong Daily Conditioner is unique in that it helps prevent the harsh damage that can be caused by UV rays while protecting the surface layer of protein.
Hydratherma Naturals Protein Balance Leave in Conditioner ($14.99″>
The balance of moisture and protein is one of the most important aspects for natural hair to flourish. This conditioner does just that by infusing the perfect balance of moisture and protein to prevent breakage. The benefits of this product are heat protection, increased flexibility, and the natural oils create a barrier to hold in the moisture and protein.
Design Essentials Natural Daily Moisturizing Lotion ($13.99″>
This leave in conditioner and moisturizer contains a blend of Jojoba, Cocoa, and Wheat Protein that will restore the bounce of dry curls and waves while controlling frizz. With continuous use the hair will be softened and have a long lasting sheen.
Camille Rose Naturals SOYlicious ($14″>
The Camille Rose Naturals Soylicious is great for enhancing the shine and body of hair. This product contains vitamins and botanical blends that promote hair growth and regeneration of the cells. The focus of this product is to improve the look and build it to its healthiest states.
Eden Bodyworks All Natural Coconut Shea Cleansing Cowash ($8.49″>
The perfect combination of Coconut oil, Shea Butter, Aloe Vera, and water in this product aid the hair in preserving the natural protein structure and protecting from future damage. The Coconut Shea Cowash is special because the ingredients are picked with the purpose of penetrating the hair shaft for improved overall health. This product is gentle enough for everyday use especially for the avid exercisers.
Darcy’s Botanicals Vanilla Delight Curl Detangling Milk ($12″>
The Curl Detangling Milk has a milky consistency; This product was created with fine and medium textured curlies in mind. It can be used as a light moisturizer or leave in conditioner.
Carol’s Daughter Hair Milk Refresher Spray ($11″>
The Hair Milk Refresher Spray is a great reactivator for already styled hair. The agave nectar and wheat protein work together to lock in moisture and control frizz. This product helps preserve your hairstyle beyond days and multiple naps.
Bain de Terre Color Preserving & Volumizing Conditioner ($13.99″>
This conditioner works to preserve highly pigmented color and increasing the volume of fine to medium textured hair 45%. The Bain de Terre conditioner can be used everyday for continuous added and lasting volume throughout the day.
Did we miss anything? What is your favorite daily conditioner under $15?
From time to time our natural hair and scalp need some TLC–some follicle opening detox therapy, if you will. Steam therapy is a simple at-home service that is actually becoming a popular service offered in hair salons nationwide. In the complex nature of hair care, many naturalistas may find doing DIY steam treatments can be complicated or time consuming, so they head to a trusted licensed professional to perform the job. Bonus: It’s also like a mini massage or facial, so the service is seen as necessary and relaxing to the client on the receiving end.
What is Steam Therapy?
It is the process of using moist heat to open the hair follicles and pores of the scalp to allow better absorption of moisture. Because our hair is constantly exposed to the elements and its potential for dryness and brittleness increase which leads to breakage. Steam Therapy allows for deep penetration of moisture that will help on the journey for healthy hair and growth. Natural hair is like a sunflower; if the flower does not receive water (moisture”> deep in its roots, it will not continue to grow.
Why our hair needs steam
1. Opening of the pores: Clogged pores in the scalp slow down–and eventually stop–the regrowth process. Steaming the hair and scalp on a regular basis will allow the toxins from the scalp to be released so that it can be cleansed and purified.
2. Balancing the Scalp: Along with purifying the scalp of the toxins within, steam therapy helps increase the collagen production and blood flow of the scalp. The collagen level and increased blood flow, resulting in a healthy naturally shiny scalp–not the kind of shine caused by synthetic styling products.
3. Improves Elasticity: The elasticity of curly strands is its ability to stretch without snapping and causing further breakage and damage to the strands. Steam treatments allow the hair to absorb so much moisture that the curls will be able to bend and stretch.
4. Enhances Curl Definition: Moisture infused by steam therapy into the hair strands allows the hair to clump throughout the length of the stands which enhances the curl pattern. The bonus effect of steam therapy is that it allows for less heat to be used when flat ironing hair.
5. Porosity: For naturalistas with low porosity hair steam therapy is a good way to help water vapor penetrate the strands of the hair for long lasting moisture. With the cuticle layer being opened from the steam treatment, it is easier to infuse products into the hair to maintain supple flexible strands.
Steam therapy uses moist heat to open the hair follicles and pores of the scalp to allow better absorption of moisture.
Steam therapy at home
Many professional salon tools have become available online, include salon grade hair steamers for home usage. This helps reduce the long term costs of going to salons for steam treatments. Here are some of the popular ones on the market now.
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Salon Sundry Professional Salon Hair Steamer ($109.99″>– The Sundry hair steamer is back with a 650 watt heating power supply for efficient heating of the water. A 320ounce water compartment comes built into the steamer. The stainless steel coil in the steamer helps create a relaxing therapeutic water vapor.
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Deluxe Hair Steamer by Skin Act ($109.00″>– The Deluxe hair steamer is special several reasons beginning with its 650 watt power supply and adjustable steaming with a high low switch. This steamer comes with ventilation to control the steam level. This unique steamer comes with a built-in timer that be set for up to 60 minutes.
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Q- Redew Hand-Held Hair Steamer ($69.95″>– The Q-Redew hair steamer is one of the most popular steamers throughout the natural community because the design of other traditional hair steamers; it is completely handheld. This hair steamer has multiple functions that go beyond simply moisturizing; the Q-Redew can help with detangling, reshaping the hair, and stretch the hair.
The takeaway…
The results of steam therapy treatments are both long lasting and beneficial for the overall strength and development of the hair. Purchasing a salon quality hair steamer for at home use to aid deep penetration of products will reduce the costs of going to a salon for the same process.
Protective styling is a large part of what helps naturalistas achieve and maintain length. Some of the most coveted protective styles that have become popular are Marley Twists, Crochet Braids, and the timelessness and creativity of Box Braids. Unfortunately, not all of us have beautiful textured strands cascading down our backs so we turn to extensions. Having extensions to achieve length is great but what happens after our protective style is 3 to 4 weeks old.
QUESTION: Do you throw your Marley hair away or can it survive another round of styling?
The answer: Marley braiding hair can be washed and reused for multiple uses!
After emptying out our pockets to buy multiple packs of Marley braiding hair it is hard to let go of such a costly investment. And most of all we should always want to get the most use out of our purchase before its time to throw it to the wasteside. Here is how to wash Marley or Kanekalon braiding/twisting hair for fresh reusable hair.
Method #1: The Conditioner Cleanse
What you’ll need
- Conditioner
- Hot Water
- Bowl
Directions
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Braid the marley hair in sections to prevent tangling.
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Put hot water and conditioner in the bowl.
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Place braiding sections into the bowl.
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Rub the braids together to loosen oils and dirt that may be on the hair.
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Rinse and untwist.
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Lay flat to dry.
Method #2: Light Cleansing
What you’ll need
- Shampoo
- Conditioner
- Bathtub or large washing area
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Tie off bundle sections off center to ensure cleansing of the entire length of the bundle
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Fill the bathtub up with warm water and add shampoo. *Bathtub does not need to be filled all the way*
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Add the hair bundles in and allow them to soak for 10-15 minutes
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Massage and lightly scrub the bundles to rid the braiding hair of oils and dirts that have attached to the hair.
*Be sure to wash bundles one at a time to prevent frustration and knotting*
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Once cleansed and rinsed, lay flat and apply conditioner
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Rinse out conditioner with cold water; allow hair to air dry.
Some brands of Marley braiding hair (or any faux hair extension”> may contain preservative chemicals that are incredibly harsh for people with sensitive scalps. Because an irritable scalp is something nobody wants to go through there’s a cleansing method for that:
Method #3: Cleansing for Sensitive Scalp
What you’ll need
- Shampoo
- Conditioner
- Apple Cider Vinegar
- Bathtub or large washing area
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Place hair in loose sectioned bundles
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Fill the bathtub with warm water, not scalding hot water
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Mix shampoo into water so it does not sink directly to the bottom
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Allow the hair bundles to sit in the shampoo mixture for 10 minutes
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Lightly scrub and massage the bundles against each other. Rinse
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Squeeze out excess water and add conditioner. Rinse
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Holding the hair in the middle of the bundle, rinse with warm apple cider vinegar
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Rinse with cold water and hang to dry.
A few things to keep in mind
Always air dry
Remember that the Marley braiding hair is a fiber similar to Kankelon hair and will melt with the use of high heat. Using a hair dryer will cause the hair to frizz tremendously and lose the texture it was meant to have.Cool it down
Remember to use cool to warm water when rinsing the braiding hair out. Just like our own hair, using hot water will cause frizz. The only difference is that the frizz on synthetic hair is hard to fix if at all possible.
In this bountiful world of natural hair, we’re tempted to revisit our heat appliances for styling greatness. We weigh the pros and cons of digging deep in our pocketbooks to invest in heat protectants considering if we’ll get the most benefits for our money. But the real question is do we really need heat protectants and are they necessary?
When heat is applied
Heat applied directly to the hair raises the cuticle layer of the hair shaft allowing heat to penetrate the strand. With the cuticle layer being exposed, heat can make its way to the cortex, causing irreversible damage. It is believed that using a small amount of heat will not cause damage. Still, the structure of the hair can suffer both physical and chemical damage without a heat protectant.
When a heat protectant is applied…
The purpose of a heat protectant is to reduce the potential of causing physical and/or chemical damage to the overall health of the hair. Heat protectants provide a balancing effect reducing the risk of thermal damage while maintaining the moisture level within the hair shaft, promote healthy texture, elasticity, and shine. Another benefit of using a heat protectant, beside maintaining a healthy mane, is its ability to improve the effectiveness of heat styling tools (Folica“>.
Choosing the right heat protectant
Deciding on a heat protectant consists of a few factors. The first is knowing the texture of your hair; coarse and fine hair strands react differently with certain heat protectants because of its density and ingredients. Secondly, choosing which type of heat protectant to purchase because they come in the form of sprays, gels, serums, and/or lotions. For example, fine strand naturals may prefer sprays because they will not weigh down the hair; coarse strand naturals may prefer oils and serums.
In a study by the University of Manchester, they concluded that using dry ingredient based heat protectants may be more beneficial water based protectants. Many protectants contain silicones and polymers which are ingredients may naturalistas stay away from but in many test they proved to work better than water based protectants.
Recommended heat protectants:
- Carol’s Daughter Hair Balm, $13
- Creme of Nature 7 in 1 Leave In Treatment
- Carol’s Daughter Smoothing Blow Dry Cream
- Silk Elements Mega Silk Heat Protection Creme
- Nexxus Heat Protexx Heat Protection Spray
- Tresemme Thermal Protective Spray
100% natural heat protectants
For the naturalists looking to rock a blow out or simply protect your hair from the harsh heat rays of the sun without the aid of silicones here are some natural and organic alternatives…
- Grapeseed Oil
- Coconut Oil
- Olive Oil
- Sunflower Oil
The Takeaway…
So do we really need heat protectants and are they necessary? The simple and direct answer is YES. We need heat protectants and they are necessary for reducing the risk of causing stringy straight pieces of hair because of failing to apply proper protection. Looking into the ingredients of heat protectants is important for knowing how they’ll react with your hair. In the end, a heat protectant applied to your hair is better than no heat protectant at all.
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Photo by @Eclectic_Vibez.
Women are often the catalysts in the advocacy of individuals that are continuously marginalized by society. Being a political representation for confined groups also meant being color blind to whom would benefit toward future legislation for equality. The women leaders for change didn’t cower in the presence of men; they looked them in the eye and handled business accordingly. This month’s Natural Who Made History is Dorothy Irene Height.
Using rejection to promote equality
Dorothy Height’s path to becoming a prominent social activist began with unchangeable hardship of being a African American woman. With her initial admittance to Barnard College in 1929, Ms. Height was rejected being told that “the quota for black students had been fulfilled.” Instead Dorothy attended New York University where she earned her Bachelor’s degree shortly after earning her Master’s degree in educational psychology. Prior to the start of her career, she focused her post graduate work at Columbia University concentrating in social work.
At the tender age of 25 years old, Dorothy became a member of the National Council of Negro Women as well as working as a case-worker full time for the New York Department of Welfare.
Her focus on equality and educational benefits did not limit its scope to a specific racial group; her fight for African American women’s equality included women as a whole. She pushed for women to become politically active, increase voter awareness, and broaden available job opportunities.
Bringing awareness through conviction
In 1944, Height joined the national staff of the YWCA. To further promote her intentions for women’s social and political leadership and educational reform, Dorothy used the helping hands of her sorority, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Incorporated, to help advocate and expand potential programs. Through her active organizational participation and affiliations, Dorothy and her diverse sisterhood were able to be advocate for various individuals on many levels and economic statuses.
Unbeknownst to many people, Dorothy Height played a highly influential role of the Civil Rights Movement both organizationally and politically. During the peak of the 1960s Civil Rights Movement, Wednesdays in Mississippi were arranged to bring together black and white women from the North and South for open conversation on their issues. Miss Height carried herself with so much poise and conviction that American leaders were always willing to hear her advice and act upon it. During the intense debates of school separations, Height spoke with President Dwight D. Eisenhower to push for immediate national desegregation of the school system citing that it would make for a beneficial learning environment for future generations aside from its unconstitutional issues. Dorothy spoke with President Lyndon B. Johnson in regards to allowing African American women to actively participate in positions with the national government.
Dorothy Irene Height not only left behind a legacy of feminist strength and influence in the world of social activism.
She is highly recognized for her extravagant hat collection she attained throughout her lifetime. Her hard work, perseverance, and determination to make a change in society continues to inspire many young activist to be the change they want to see. And this month Ms. Height, we salute you.
